Trade News

Each day TFO Canada publishes a sample of trade news on the Canadian import market along with any new, updated or changed regulations and legislations regarding international trade; countries in which TFO Canada offers services and on the export sectors which it promotes.

Loblaw launches new ethnic focused pilot

Loblaw has renovated a Real Canadian Superstore in Mississauga, Ont., to incorporate some of the merchandising practices, labels and foods of its two ethnic banners: the Asian-focused T&T grocery chain, and Arz Fine Food, a Middle Eastern grocery store Loblaw purchased last year.

The store serves the area’s increasingly diverse population, as well as the growing number of people who are becoming more adventurous when it comes to food, according to a Toronto Star article.

Under the new motto of “fresh, value and global flavours,” the revamped Superstore features a roasted nut and dried fruit counter; a wider variety of ingredients used in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine; and an entire aisle of rice in large-format sizes.

“Retail is as much about evolution as anything. If you stay in any one place for too long, you’ll be overtaken,” Andrew Iacobucci, president, discount division, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., told the Toronto Star. "We felt it was time to take the business up to another level.”

The new concept places more emphasis on the fresh produce section with more than 700 items added, including fruit, vegetables, seafood, meat, baked goods, take-out meals and sushi. The store also features a large seafood and fish department, a pita bakery, a teppanyaki grill, and a cosmetics section specializing in Asian skin and hair care products,

Over the next year, Loblaw will assess the success of the pilot and decide whether to roll out the concept to other stores, says Loblaw vice-president Chris Fisher.